Council seeks to boost trade with free day at municipal car parks

Councillors in York say motorists will be able to park without charge in 13 of its car parks next Saturday in an initiative designed to support local businesses and shoppers at what is regarded as the quietest time of the year for retailers.

Council leader Councillor James Alexander said: “The council promised to work on a parking initiative to help retailers and other city-centre businesses.

“We have spoken to local businesses and recognised that this is a time of year when businesses most need a boost, as we all know how quiet the city can be in the post-Christmas period and we at the council are happy to support them.”

David Cox, national councillor for the Federation of Small Businesses, congratulated the Labour-run council on the initiative.

“By offering a free parking day on February 1 the council is helping small, specialist retail businesses, who make York truly different from other city centres, get through the difficult post Christmas period,” he said.

The car parks in the city that will be free to use are those in: Bishopthorpe Road, Bootham Row, Castle, Castle Mills, Esplanade, Foss Bank, Haymarket, Marygate, Monkbar, Nunnery Lane, Piccadilly, St Georges Field and Union Terrace.